Chapter 4

Four

Jake

“ Y ou give any more thought to partnering with Petals?” Ryan asked when I ducked out from under the hood of the Dodge Charger I’d been working on all morning.

“Petals?” The name didn’t ring a bell, but I was focused on the engine in front of me. I didn’t like to be interrupted until I’d figured out the problem.

Ryan handed me a bottled water. “Petals is Lily’s flower shop.”

“Not really.” I hadn’t even thought about the fact that Lily was named after a flower, and she ran a flower shop. It was a weird coincidence, yet oddly fitting for her.

Ryan settled on a nearby stool, one foot on the bottom rung and one foot on the ground. “The more I think about it, the more I think it’s a good move for us.”

“It seems like you’re always trying to convince me of something,” I said before twisting off the cap and drinking.

Ryan huffed out a laugh. “That’s because you’re slow to make any decisions. Whether to start a business, buy this place, hire a receptionist, or renovate the waiting room. You’re slower than a snail.”

I set the bottle aside, using a nearby rag to snap his leg, eliciting a satisfying yelp from Ryan.

He moved a few feet away, holding up his hands. “Watch it.”

“Then stop giving me shit. I do things in my own time.” I’d always been shocked that my mother could just leave us. It seemed easy for her. I liked to be more careful about my decisions. Slow and methodical was the way to go.

“Business doesn’t operate at your preferred pace. Sometimes, we need to move quickly. Take advantage of opportunities.” Ryan’s voice raised in intensity with each word.

“What are you talking about?” I set the rag aside, sensing there was more he wanted to say.

Ryan sighed heavily. “I saw Lily’s blue van at the used lot down the street.”

“She’s buying a new van?” The idea grated. She didn’t strike me as someone who gave up easily. She had this sweet and innocent air about her, but when she dug in, I sensed nothing could change her mind. I admired that about her.

“Looks like she’s considering it.

I was torn because she needed a reliable source of transportation. At the same time, I knew I could restore Berta. The thought of Lily driving a new and improved van didn’t sit right with me. It wasn’t what she wanted, even if it was the practical choice.

“Isn’t that what you told her to do?” Ryan tipped his head to the side, considering me.

“It’s a no-brainer. That van is her sole means of transportation.” Would she really trade in Berta? I believed her when she said it had sentimental value. I heard the quiver in her voice and saw the shine of tears in her eyes.

Ryan shook his head. “I remember her grandmother toiling around in that van. It will be a sad day when I don’t see it running on the streets anymore.”

I gave him a look. “Laying it on a little thick, aren’t you?”

“We can fix this for her. She’s a fellow shop owner. We should be helping her.”

“We’re not a charity.” I knew I sounded like an asshole, but Ryan had no idea what I really thought about Lily.

“This is good publicity for us. We’re in the Shops on Main group, but in a lot of ways, we’re outsiders. We’re not within the historical area of Annapolis. We’re not located on Main Street or even close to it. We can’t contribute to most of the groups’ fundraisers since we don’t sell food or products.” Ryan’s hands moved in time with his words.

“Well, yeah. We’re in the service industry,” I said stubbornly, even though I understood what he was saying. We were outsiders. Other than Max, who owned Max’s Bar I just didn’t want to do it. I could have said Ryan should handle it, but then he’d be the one talking to Lily, listening to her prattle on about that junky van she drove. The one that reminded her of her grandmother. He’d get the satisfaction when Lily saw it restored. No matter how much I knew I should stay away from her, I wanted to see her reactions up close.

I wanted to be the one to make her happy. Christ. Where had that come from? Other than Hailey and Nana, I couldn’t care less if anyone around me was happy. Now that circle had expanded to include Ryan and Corey. But I wasn’t keen on adding more people to my inner circle.

“I offered to handle it. You don’t like that idea. But you need to get on board with it soon or I will take charge. I’m not letting this opportunity go.”

“I have to agree with Ryan on this one. Whatever your reasons are, I think they’re related to our fu—” Hailey broke off, her gaze darting to Nana and Corey, then back to me—“messed-up past. You won’t be able to move on until you deal with it.”

I shrugged, not wanting to deal with any of this at the dinner table with Corey listening to us.

Ryan shook his head. “Clock is ticking, old man.”

“Message received. I’ll let you know in a few days.”

“I can give you a few, but if I see Lily at that used car lot again, I’m stepping in.”

“Got it.” I ground my teeth together. I didn’t have much time. It seemed like there was no way to escape Lily, but I didn’t want her to buy a new vehicle, either.

“I always liked Dottie. When I ran into her at the store, she’d always talk about one of her granddaughters loving flowers like her. I’m guessing it’s this Lily.” Nana reached over to cover my hand with hers. “You should help her.”

“I’ll think about it.” I always wanted to please Nana, and I remembered the pain in Lily’s voice when she talked about her grandmother and that van. I’d have to be heartless not to see how much it meant to her. Plus, I loved the challenge of a good restoration.

I could just see Lily riding around town in her refurbished VW van, her hair flying in the wind. I was wrong when I first ran into her on the side of the road—Berta was worth saving. I knew more than anyone how important your past was, and if Lily had a good one and wanted to memorialize it, who was I to say no?

I still needed to think it over for a few days. The thought of making a quick decision would send my heart racing. I needed to mull it over. See if I felt differently in the morning.

Maybe in a few days, I’d feel better about Ryan taking the lead on this one. I doubted it. But anything was possible.